About us
A Step Towards the Change
Towards the Change Foundation began in 2021 in 1/300, Katheri, Samiyampalayam, Sangari, Salem 638183, founded by Nirmal Kathirvel on a simple belief: change is a walk, not a leap. It gets built one visit, one camp, one conversation at a time.
What started with a handful of volunteers has grown into a network of youth clubs and self-organised drives across Tamil Nadu, working alongside government departments, colleges and local communities on health, safety, education, environment and livelihoods.
By staying deliberately close to the ground in tribal villages, factory townships, colleges, and government schools often overlooked by larger organizations. We ensure that every effort is relevant, accessible, and impactful. Over the past years, our programs have reached more than 25,000 beneficiaries through 220+ events, empowering students, women, tribal communities, and workers to access opportunities and build stronger futures.
Our mission
Helping young people build skills, confidence, and a life of contribution.
To empower young people with practical skills, training, work experience, leadership opportunities, and guidance that prepare them for meaningful careers and responsible participation in society.
We encourage youth to discover their potential, develop confidence and leadership, and take an active role in volunteering and community development. Through learning, experience, and service, we help young people become skilled professionals, responsible citizens, and positive contributors to their communities.
The growth of young people who have been part of our journey, many of whom have gone on to build meaningful careers while continuing to contribute responsibly to society, inspires us to prepare and support the next generation.
Our vision
A generation of skilled, confident, and socially responsible young leaders.
To build a generation of skilled, confident, and socially responsible young leaders who use their knowledge, skills, and energy to strengthen communities, care for nature, embrace volunteerism, and create positive and sustainable change for present and future generations.
Compliance & Governance
Legal & Financial Information
Towards the Change Foundation is a not-for-profit organization registered under Indian Trust Act, 1882 (Reg. No. 4/45/2022).
Towards the Change Foundation is registered u/s 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and with the Director of Income Tax (Exemptions) u/s 80G (Approval no. xxxxxxxxxx).
Towards the Change Foundation is registered under Ministry of Corporate Affairs for CSR projects (ID: AAETT4471E), and NITI Aayog Darpan (ID: TN/2023/0347013).
Trust Registration
Indian Trust Act, 1882
Reg. No. 4/45/2022
Registered as a non-profit trust dedicated to youth development, community health, rural welfare, and environmental conservation.
12A & 80G Tax Exemptions
Income Tax Act, 1961
u/s 12A & 80G (Approval no. xxxxxxxxxx)
Registered non-profit status with tax exemption certificate, qualifying eligible donor contributions for 80G tax deductions.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs (CSR)
Govt. of India · MCA
CSR Registration ID: AAETT4471E
Officially registered to execute Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) impact initiatives under Section 135 of the Companies Act.
NITI Aayog NGO Darpan
NITI Aayog · Govt. of India
Darpan ID: TN/2023/0347013
Accredited and verified voluntary organisation on the Central Government’s NGO Darpan registry portal.
Every step has taken us further
A small, steady trail of work rather than one giant leap.
2021
First step
Founded in Salem with a handful of volunteers and one simple idea: show up.
2023
Finding our footing
Grew into a youth club network across neighbouring districts.
2025
Picking up pace
80+ programs in a single year, reaching over 10,000 people.
2026
Recognised
Awarded the Chief Minister's Youth Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Global Alignment
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Our ground-level programs align directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, driving inclusive development, environmental protection, and youth leadership.
Good Health & Well-being
Free medical, eye & hygiene camps in rural areas
Regular ground-level health checkups, blood donation camps, and hygiene awareness for factory workers, tribal families, and village communities.
Quality Education
Empowering students in government schools & colleges
Educational awareness drives, student mentoring, TNPSC exam book libraries, and career guidance for first-generation learners.
Gender Equality
Safety awareness, POSH & self-defense for girls
Workplace and campus safety workshops, legal awareness, self-defense training, and livelihood skills for women self-help groups.
Decent Work & Economic Growth
Livelihood training & career guidance for youth
Equipping youth with practical skills, vocational direction, and employment readiness to foster sustainable livelihoods.
Reduced Inequalities
Connecting marginalized families to entitlements
Bridging last-mile delivery of government welfare schemes for tribal villagers, daily wage workers, and underserved rural populations.
Climate Action
Tree plantation drives & public cleanliness movements
Mass sapling plantation, Swachh Bharat cleanliness drives at public transport hubs, and environmental stewardship.
Life on Land
Native seed collection & ecosystem preservation
Palm seed collection initiatives, conservation campaigns in hills, and community-led green habitat protection.
Partnerships for the Goals
Collaboration with government bodies, colleges & NGOs
Working together with national statutory bodies, government departments, academic institutions, and corporate CSR partners.
People & Collaboration
Our Team & Technical Partners
Driven by dedicated grassroots youth organizers and supported by technology partners helping us operate transparently and at scale.
Nirmal Kathirvel
Founder & Managing Trustee
Recipient of the Chief Minister's Youth Award 2026 by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Grassroots social organizer and youth leader spearheading community health, tribal upliftment, and youth volunteer mobilization across 20+ districts.
District Volunteer & Youth Club Leads
Grassroots Coordinators & Volunteers
A network of dedicated youth coordinators, college club presidents, and NSS volunteers executing ground-level health camps, educational drives, and relief actions every week.
Institutional Collaboration
Our Partners & Collaborators
Working alongside statutory bodies, national initiatives, and impact organizations to scale grassroots welfare across Tamil Nadu.
MY Bharat
Mera Yuva Bharat
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India
Collaborating to activate youth leadership, volunteer mobilization, and nation-building initiatives across Tamil Nadu.
Bureau of Indian Standards
National Standards Body of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Partnering on grassroots quality standards, consumer rights awareness, and youth educational outreach in educational institutions.
Haqdarshak
Citizen Entitlement Platform
Leading Social Impact Enterprise
Bridging the last-mile information gap to help rural, tribal, and vulnerable families apply for and access government welfare schemes.
Dept. of Children Welfare & Special Services, Salem
Government of Tamil Nadu
District Administration & Social Defense
Partnering on child rights protection, adolescent empowerment, safety workshops, and specialized welfare outreach across Salem district.
AVS College of Arts and Science, Salem
Academic Partner (Salem)
Affiliated to Periyar University
Institutional partner collaborating on youth clubs, NSS volunteer engagement, leadership camps, and continuous community service drives.
Thozhargalin Karam Charitable Trust
Grassroots NGO Partner
Community Welfare Organisation
Collaborating on joint ground-level community welfare drives, humanitarian relief distribution, and rural support programs.
Symbionic Tech Pvt. Ltd.
Technology Solutions Enterprise
Digital & Engineering Partner
Providing technology enablement, web architecture, digital platforms, and technical modernization to scale grassroots program impact.
Our focus
Where young people create change
Youth Leadership
Developing young people into confident, capable, and responsible leaders.
Community Development
Enabling youth to identify community needs and take meaningful action.
Volunteerism
Creating a culture of service, participation, and responsibility.
Skills & Career Development
Providing practical skills, training, experience, and opportunities for young people to build their futures.
Environment & Sustainability
Encouraging young people to protect nature and think responsibly about the future.
Our core message
Empowering Youth. Strengthening Communities. Caring for Nature. Creating Sustainable Change.